The Job Interview Starts From the First E-mail

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I'm one of the boomers. Okay, I don't work in an office, and my job teaching English at a technical college isn't by nature cut-throat. I would have hated being in business from day one to today. I'm on this site because I was roped into teaching a class in job skills, and I find some good stuff for the class.
Colleges do have their politics, but I prefer not to go for anyone's gullet. I just do my job the best I can, and I'm allowed to do that because my class is my class.
I've always worked well with others. In my bumbling youth, I learned a lot from older teachers. Now, I am one of the old teachers. Right now, I have a department chair and two close coworkers in their early 30s, and I find them wonderful to work with. They're sharp and good at what they do. I learn from them too.
In meetings, I try to listen and add if I have something to add. Usually, I see something others didn't think of. Often, they see something I didn't think of.
I do go a little nuts with young students who exit class, disrupting me and others, to run to the hall to take a call. I've listened to the content of most of these calls. "I'm not doin' nuthin...I'm just in math class. What are you doing?"
I think getting up and running out of an academic class that one has paid for is just not good for anyone. But I admit I am old. See above.
I am not all down on these kids. They're funny and bright and have a lot to offer to a world I won't still live in, and they'll find their way.
It is kind of a bummer to be a techno dinosaur though! I have keep bringing up the rear on that one!

JAFFY of GA 9:24PM August 20, 2010

I found OhioBoomer's remarks very offensive. After working with Boomers all of my adult life, there was not one employer whom I worked for that did not have at least one (if not two) whining, complaining, back-stabbing Boomer with me, for me, or in the same office. Did I mention politics? Office politics were created by Boomers. I found these behaviors to be a distraction from departmental goals, counter-productive, and the cause of low office morale. Boomers seem to be very jealous by nature and, instead of the leaders we look to them to be, they tend to be trigger-happy and poised to terminate anyone who even sneezes at creativity. It's simply not very easy working for or with Boomers; and, in my opinion, create an atmosphere of doom and gloom amongst the workforce.
OhioGenXer

OhioGenXer of OH 9:01PM August 20, 2010

I see it daily --- each generation has it's own ideas regarding what is acceptable behavior, be it cell phones in restaurants or typos in businesss emails. When it comes to job hunting, one needs to put personal opinion aside and function within the context of the company you're courting. Either you find their standards amenable, or you don't. This is part of the dance, whether you're dating or job hunting. When you become frustrated at not finding a match, it's time to take a look at whether your standards are up to par.

Pdx of OR 12:39PM July 28, 2010

They make Gen Xers look good! They are clueless about why their superiors tear their hair out when they are hired. Could it have something to do with the way they try to fit their ASSIGNED TASKS around their much-more-important activities of texting and tweeting their friends, being on Faceplace, playing online games, posting in c hatrooms, and surfing porn?
OhioBoomer

OhioBoomer of OH 2:41PM July 20, 2010

Idemorizi of CA, with his rants about managerial qualifications, competence, and professional development, comes across as a typical Gen Xer with a whiny attitude and an overinflated sense of entitlement.
Most jobs in Corporate America these days require taking orders and most publicly-owned companies DO have a primary goal of maximizing profits and stockholder wealth, like it or not...it's all about the bottom line.
And the snarky remark about Baby Boomers being incompetent and "having a fraction of the education and talent" is a prime example why most fiftysomething and sixtysomething Boomers cannot stand working with or dealing with Gen Xers, too many of whom think they hung the moon and stars. A chip-on-the-shoulder candidate like this one, were he across the desk from me, would soon find himself being escorted to the parking lot by security.
Incidentally..any thank you letter from a manager is also going to include an invitation for a second interview. With a 'blame the Boomers for everything...and for all my problems' attitude like his, it's not surprising Idemorizi is probably not getting any...and is still unemployed. Keep on blaming Boomers, and he will stay unemployed.
OhioBoomer

OhioBoomer of OH 1:47PM July 20, 2010

When turning in applications no need to do a follow up, like calling, "TO CHECK THE STATUS OF MY APPLICATION" I wouldn't need to work if I got paid for the amount of calls I take daily like that. Who tells people to do that, it is unnessesary and annoying. Sorry but, if you had this to do this 12 to 20 times a day you would understand. I personally am busy when I'm at work.

bs of IN 8:54PM July 19, 2010

It appears that there is a problem with honesty in the interview. I believe the author of the article was referring to skill set. Many will beef up their skill set to get the job. Once in the job, they cannot perform the required duties. In response to V above, there is a tactful way to say everything. A response for a bad employer is to say that "I have worked in a highly challenging and fast paced environment which allowed me to increase my skill set and organizational skills. Descriptors like "mean," "bad," and "difficult" are relative. Personality types also play a huge role in how a person views and reacts to any given situation. This is why we can't be so eager to get the job that we don't get all of the information regarding what the position requires. That's where honesty is vitally important. So the question is not "can I do the job?" but "can I do the job efficiently and effectively and go home with my sanity in tact."

M-Jaye of MD 11:59AM July 19, 2010

I understand what the author is getting at about wanting to land the right job for you, and being honest in order to find such a job, rather than landing a job where you will be miserable. However, the reality is that if you are truly honest, there is a chance your honesty will keep you from getting most jobs. Also, if employers really want honesty than saying something negative about a previous employer would not be such a taboo. Because the truth is that some employers do bad things, and many times bad things to their employees. The writer sounds like someone I would like to interview with, but unfortunately I think most hiring managers are just not worried about the candidate or honesty.

V of NJ 6:19PM July 15, 2010

As a veteran of 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry, and a manager of both small and large department, I am continually amazed by the lack of humility and sense of entitlement that entry level workers bring to the interview. Here's a nickel's worth of free advice: don't bring up salary or fringe benefits on the first interview. Especially save the part about "work/life balance" for later interviews. Not only does it betray a lack of interest in the job, but it sends the wrong signals to the hiring manager. You're not sitting across from Donald Trump. This is not a Hollywood performance. Another flaw that I frequently see is inappropriate attire, or I should say accessories. Do yourself a large favor and lose the tats, and for the guys the earrings before you show up, no matter how discrete you think they are. And young ladies, please note that cleavage is never permissible, unless you're interviewing for a job with Playboy Magazine. Good interviewers leave time for questions at the end. So remember that this is not a level playing field, and treat it as something more than a casual conversation, no matter how informal the interviewer's manner. Good luck.

Pharmaveteran of NJ 2:52PM July 07, 2010

I like certain things about what the author says, but the honesty part is ridiculous in light of the fact that the rest of her suggestions basically imply that you should put on a performance. This is America nowadays, you have to put on a show in order to get ahead. No matter where you go, people are pretending that pretenders are something that this society really needs. You see this hollywood mentality everywhere; in politics, on the talk shows, and etc.
Lastly, college experience is tantamount to work experience. You have to be on time, you have to meet deadlines, and you have to prepare for the day. It is a professional job. Unfortunately, these days there are so many online schools and frivolous universities, they have turned college into a joke for many employers. I personally went to a good four-year university and the academics were tough, so I devoted myself mostly to school. For me, this was a full time job.
I personally think that employers should reevaluate their hiring criteria.

Roman Isayev of PA 2:45PM June 21, 2010